Mets Suspend Spencer Without Pay

OF Shane Spencer was suspended without pay by the Mets yesterday, one day after he was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol and charged with driving under the influence.

Spencer is on the 15-day disabled list after cutting his right foot on a piece of glass in a bar. Earlier this year, Spencer and then-teammate Karim Garcia were each fined $500 by the Mets because of an off-field incident during spring training.

Spencer was stopped by state troopers between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Tuesday morning for driving 96 mph in a 70-mph speed zone. He is hitting .281 with four homers and 26 RBI in 185 at-bats. . . .

The Mets also designated RHP Scott Erickson for assignment and recalled LHP Pedro Feliciano from Class AAA Norfolk. Erickson went 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in two starts, including a disastrous outing in Monday's 19-10 loss to the Expos.

* YANKEES LOOK AT MCGRIFF: Three days after his release from the Devil Rays, 1B Fred McGriff worked out for the Yankees in Tampa. Tampa Bay designated McGriff, 40, for assignment on July 17 after he hit .181 with two homers in 27 games. He is seven homers shy of 500. New York may need a first baseman with Jason Giambi's health in question.